Flu vaccinations available on several Indiana University campuses across the state

View print quality imageTo help faculty, staff and students stay healthy during flu season, most IU campuses are administering flu vaccines.Photo by Liz Kaye, Indiana University

Getting a flu shot should be the first step in preventing influenza, according to IU Health Center medical director Beth Rupp. Anyone 6 months old or older should get an annual flu shot, unless they have had a severe allergic reaction to the flu vaccine or one of its components in the past.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that during the 2016-17 flu season, the vaccine prevented 5.3 million illnesses and 2.6 million medical visits.

Here are some more tips from Rupp:

Try to get your flu vaccine before flu begins spreading in your community. It takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body, so make plans to get vaccinated early in the fall, preferably before the end of October.

Getting a flu shot protects yourself but also those around you who may be particularly vulnerable to the flu.

Groups that are at the highest risk from the flu include the elderly, infants and those with chronic medical conditions. If you regularly interact with such people, you can help protect them by getting a flu shot.

See dates and times flu shots will be administered on your campus this fall:

Beginning Sept. 27, flu shot clinics will be available at the following campus locations:

Sept. 27: 2 to 4 p.m. at Bryan Hall, Room 200.

Oct. 2: 10 to 11:30 a.m. in the Wells Library main lobby and 2 to 4 p.m. at the Poplars Building, Room 185.

Oct. 9: 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. at the School of Optometry, Basement Student Study Room.

Oct. 10: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the IU Health Center main lobby.

Oct. 23: 9 to 11:30 a.m. in the lobby of Hodge Hall.

Oct. 24: 2 to 4 p.m. at the School of Education atrium.

Oct. 25: 9 to 10:30 a.m. at the Facilities/Architects Building, Davis Conference Room and 2 to 4 p.m. in the Maurer School of Law, Student Lounge 001.

Oct. 30: 2 to 4 p.m. in the main lobby of the Cyberinfrastructure Building.

Nov. 7: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Campus Health and Benefits Fair in Alumni Hall of the Indiana Memorial Union.

All IU employees, graduate appointees, fellowship recipients and retirees under the age of 65 covered by an IU-sponsored medical plan can receive the immunization at no cost by showing a valid medical plan ID card. The cost is $37 for employees not covered by an IU medical plan. Clinic sites are by check only. Spouses, partners and children of employees are not eligible to attend these clinics.

Students, staff and faculty age 18 and older are invited to get their flu shot on the IU East campus in Hayes Hall 001. No appointment is needed during the following clinic times:

Oct. 16: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Oct. 18: 9 to 10 a.m.

Oct. 30: 9 a.m. noon.

Oct. 31: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Nov. 1: 2 to 4 p.m.

IU-insured employees and covered spouses are free. For all others, the cost is $25 and payable in the Bursar's Office.

The deadline for flu shots for nursing students is Nov. 1. For more information, attend an open lunch discussion and flu shot demonstration with a senior nursing student from noon to 12:30 p.m. Oct. 10 in Hayes Hall 001.

IU Fort Wayne will provide flu shots from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. today, Sept. 26, in the Walb Student Union, Room 114. School of Nursing students will be participating with the Center for Healthy Living Campus Clinic. Students in the Nursing 202 class, Medical-Surgical Nursing of Adults, will administer the shots to campus and local community members under the supervision of nursing faculty.

Flu shots will be available at the IU South Bend Health and Wellness Center, at the Vera Z. Dwyer Hall.

Oct. 1: 1 to 4 p.m.

Oct. 2: 8 a.m. to noon.

Oct. 3: 1 to 4 p.m.

Oct. 8: 1 to 4 p.m.

Oct. 9: 8 a.m. to noon.

Oct. 10: 1 to 4 p.m.

Oct. 15: 1 to 4 p.m.

Oct. 16: 8 a.m. to noon.

Oct. 17: 1 to 4 p.m.

Oct. 22: 1 to 4 p.m.

Oct. 23: 8 a.m. to noon.

Oct. 24: 1 to 4 p.m.

Oct. 29: 1 to 4 p.m.

Oct. 30: 8 a.m. to noon

Oct. 31: 1 to 4 p.m.

Nov. 12: 1 to 4 p.m.

Nov. 13: 8 a.m. to noon

Nov. 14: 1 to 4 p.m.

Employees covered by an IU-sponsored medical plan can receive the immunization at no cost by showing a valid medical plan ID card and providing a university ID number. The cost for students is $25, and they are required to show their Crimson Card and provide a university ID number. For others, the cost is $30, and a form of ID is also required.

The Health and Wellness Center will provide a receipt for all who need to submit for insurance reimbursement. Costs can be charged to student bursar accounts or paid by card, cash or check. For more information, call 574-520-5557.